Not Your Average Cod
Weekly recipe!! @sizzlefishfit has done it again.. This week I am using their cod for a simple and bright meal for one. Cod is such a simple fish that can be transformed in many different ways. The best part about this recipe is that you can make it your own by making any necessary substitutes with anything in your pantry!
What you need:
Sun-dried Tomatoes
Olives
1 tsp Orange Zest
1 tsp Chipotle Powder (or Chili Flakes)
2-3 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
2 Garlic Cloves
1 TBSP Ghee
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Optional: 1 whisked egg to better seal the parchment paper when folding.
Instructions: - Preheat oven to 425
- Roughly chop garlic and olives
- Place cod on a sheet of parchment paper
- Smear ghee on the cod
- Add salt, pepper, orange zest and chipotle powder
- Top with garlic, tomatoes, olives and thyme
- Fold parchment in half over the fish and crinkle the edges to create a crescent shaped pocket (brush the parchment with the egg wash first to have a tighter seal if you choose)
- Bake for 10 minutes
- Cut open the parchment pocket to release the steam, and enjoy!
Roasted Radishes Recipe
*RECIPE* Easter is less than a week away and I cannot wait. This time of year always gets me so excited for warm weather and inspires change in all aspects of my life.
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I wanted to get a little creative with this week’s recipe so that you can bring something interesting to the table for your Easter Sunday meal.
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I have been so obsessed with roasting radishes lately because it’s healthy, elegant and SO simple. Here’s the recipe for a side dish that can pair with just about anything...
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Ingredients:
•3/4 lb radishes •1/4 cup oil of choice (I used walnut oil, but I love avocado or olive oil with this recipe as well)
•Salt and pepper to taste
•Parsley to garnish
•1 handful raw or toasted walnuts
Instructions:
1. Quarter the radishes and toss with oil, salt and pepper.
2. Roast in oven for about 15 minutes at 425 degrees.
3. Top with parsley and walnuts.
Enjoy!!
The Final Countdown: 3 Tips to Survive Your Last Week of Whole30
Anyone else on Day 22 of their Whole30? The month long road hasn't been easy- if you're like me you've battled cravings, wrestled with meal prep, and managed a powerful sugar dragon on top of an already busy daily schedule. Hopefully by now you're getting the hang of it and even feeling better, sleeping more, and crushing your Whole30 goals. But, all of that to say, your final week can be especially taxing as the finish line is just in sight but still a few days away. Here are 3 of my tips to make that last push to the finish line even easier.
#1: Get Creative
It’s no surprise that Whole30 approved ingredients are different from those that you are used to eating on a daily basis. With that being said this new realm of cuisine can be overwhelming and can make you feel as though your food options are severely limited. The silver lining here is that there are plenty of new food creations that are waiting to be discovered. With one week to go, make eating easier by researching or creating a new recipe that you haven’t sampled during your time on the program. An excellent resource for finding new and innovative recipes for Whole30 is Pintrest.com, @whole30recipes or head over to my Instagram and follow along with me. If you've been meal prepping the same items just to make your daily menu easier then you're probably suffering from “flavor fatigue." Having variety in your meals will help keep you motivated and excited about what you’re eating each day!
#2: Know Where to Go
If you’re a fan of eating out Whole30 might seem like a death sentence, but in reality it’s all about knowing your options! If the last week has you feeling like you’re in a meal slump or your caught in a pinch without time for meal prep, go get yourself a Whole30 approved meal from a local restaurant. Chipotle, First Watch, and Zoe's are some of my favorite quick bites when I'm on the go. Maybe swing by Whole Foods and check out the hot bar or snoop around Earth Fare and see what they've got cooking. Don't let the last week catch you off guard!
#3: Treat Yo'self
At this point you’ve spent countless hours meal prepping, cleaning, and researching. With the final week on the horizon it's important to reward yourself and celebrate your successes. If you've been washing the same pots and pans every night after meal prep maybe it's time to splurge and buy another pan to add to the mix. If meal prepping and grocery shopping feel like they're going to push you over the edge maybe treat yourself to a week of my Whole30 Approved meal prep. Since everything is completely Whole30 compliant you don't have to read labels or worry about anything sneaking in. Plus, if you're in the Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga (and soon to be Atlanta) areas you can have your meals delivered right to your home or work. Take a night or two off from meal prep stress with some of my Chicken, Kale & Broccoli soup or Beef Bolognese and kick back and relax!
Simon Hall Whole30 E-Cookbook
Happy Holidays!
With the holidays quickly approaching I wanted to take a minute to say how grateful I am for the incredible love and support I've experienced this year. 2017 has been full of unexpected challenges but also amazing blessings and, as I've learned, the two are often one in the same.
A few months ago I took over @whole30recipes on Instagram and shared some of my favorite holiday entertaining recipes. As my small way of saying thanks, I've compiled all of them into one easy e-cookbook. Hopefully these recipes warm your heart and home for many years to come. This cookbook is only available for a limited time, so be sure to download and enjoy before the holidays!
It is the greatest blessing to be able to cook for y'all.
Sincerely,
Chef Simon
We're Moving....Into Chattanooga!
We're moving...into Chattanooga!
Starting January 1st, Simon Hall Private Chef is proud to announce we'll be expanding meal prep services to the Chattanooga area. With January's big Whole30 just around the corner, we hope to help relieve some meal prep burdens for Chattanooga residents.
And, what does Chef Simon have to say about all of this? "I'm thrilled! As a native Tennessean, nothing makes me happier than to be able to better serve the people in my state. Moving into Chattanooga was a natural next step for us."
For those who are new to Chef Simon's services, here are some FAQs:
Why Meal Prep?
With the demands of work and general life increasing, preparing healthy and sustainable meals only becomes more challenging. Unfortunately, many of us either settle for empty calories or skip meals altogether which just leaves us hungry for more. We were made to fuel our bodies with quality calories and wholesome meals.
Why Whole30?
Whole30 is a nutritional program and lifestyle created by Melissa Hartwig. It's a lifestyle and a food challenge centered around 30 days of clean eating. Eating Whole30 means going 30 days eating fresh and unprocessed fruits, vegetables and nuts. By eliminating toxic and inflammatory foods our bodies are actually able to use our food to help us grow, repair, and heal from life's daily wear and tear.
Whole30 removes the following from your diet:
- Sugar
- Grains
- Processed foods
- Chemicals
- Legumes
- Dairy
- Soy
- Alcohol
Who Is Chef Simon?
Chef Simon Hall graduated from the New England Culinary Institute and has been working in restaurants since he was 15 years old. He's worked in some of the top restaurants in the country and cooked privately for a host of celebrities. A few years ago he realized he was nearly 400 pounds, suffering from chronic diseases, and the unhealthiest he had ever been in his life. He discovered the Whole30 program and ate Whole30 for 6 months and lost almost 200 pounds. In the process he started preparing Whole30 meals for others and thus, Simon Hall Private Chef's meal prep business was born.
Chef Simon is one of the only Whole30 Approved chefs and meal prep partners in the country and also has a Whole30 Approved restaurant in Knoxville, TN.
Is It Affordable?
Ordering Whole30 meal prep ranges anywhere from $6-$12 per meal and the updated weekly menu ranges from items such as sweet potatoes to a 4oz. filet mignon entree served over cauliflower with grilled asparagus. Especially for those with dietary and time restrictions, or for those who simply want to eat healthier, Whole30 meal prep offers a simple solution. There are even family-style meals available that feed 4.
How Does It Work?
Every Monday the week's updated menu is released via email and text. You have until Thursday night at midnight to place your order. Chef Simon and his team prepare the food over the weekend and on Monday your food is delivered directly to your doorstep!
Where Next?
Right now Simon Hall Private Chef is available in the Knoxville and Nashville areas. Again, we're excited to move into the Chattanooga area starting Jan. 1st. We're always looking to serve new cities! Where would you like to see Whole30 Meal Prep available next?
*Knoxville and Nashville residents only
Simon's Secret Whole30 Mayo Recipe
If you're from the South you use mayo.
We use it in dips, sauces, dressings, casseroles, you name it and we use it. One of the hardest parts about Whole30 is the pesky non-compliant ingredients that sneak into a lot of sauces and condiments so I’ve found the best way to play it safe is to make my own (plus I think it tastes better too!) Keep this recipe handy as you’ll see it again in some additional recipes throughout the week. It particularly comes in handy with my homemade Chicken Salad, Turkey Salad or Broccoli Salad.
Whole30 Mayonnaise (makes 1 batch):
- 1 Egg
- 1 Fresh Lemon
- 1 cup Avocado Oil
- 1t salt
- 1t white pepper
Crack the egg into your food processor then add squeezed and strained lemon juice with salt and pepper.
Add 1/4 cup avocado oil.
Start the food processor on high and whip the lemon, egg and oil together.
As they mix together slowly drizzle the remaining 3/4 cup avocado oil in until your mayo looks light and fluffy (usually 2-3 min depending on the speed of your processor).
Store in the fridge until use.
I make a small batch as needed but feel free to increase the recipe and keep a jar on hand to add to your favorite Whole30 meals!
Simon's to Open Oct. 9th
Having trouble finding healthy eats in our beloved Scruffy City? Luckily for you, Knoxville native Simon Hall is opening a Whole30 local eatery inspired by his own Tennessean roots. It will be the first Whole30 Approved restaurant in Knoxville and will open as a lunch café in the Bearden area starting October 9th on Monday-Friday 11am-2:30pm. The café will also feature grab'n'go options for your convenience. You can find this exciting, new restaurant at 5032 Whittaker Drive, Suite 3.
After moving back to Knoxville, Simon was motivated to open his eatery since healthy, restaurant options can be so few and far between – “I really wanted to bring the community a one-of-a-kind restaurant where you can grab a quick bite and still have fresh ingredients and diverse options.”
The entire menu is Whole30 Approved which means it's perfect for those who need or prefer to avoid gluten, dairy, soy, alcohol, legumes, added sugars, processed foods, and alcohol. Plus, if you're on the Whole30 program, Simon’s provides a place where you don’t have to stress about your ingredients. Check out Simon’s café menu to get an idea of his unique take on Southern-style cuisine: http://www.simonhallprivatechef.com/menu.
Be sure to tell your friends, especially your health nuts and foodies, about Simon’s café, and if you would like more information, take a look at Simon Hall Private Chef’s website: http://www.simonhallprivatechef.com/simons/.
Join Chef Simon for a September Whole30 Journey!
Can you believe it's almost September?
Where did the summer go? If it was anything like mine it was full of family, friends and lots and lots of food. Between all the weddings, backyard cookouts, parties and other events I'm feeling a little off track.
That's why I'm starting another Whole30.
Every now and then it's nice to press pause and reset my nutrition. Not only does it help me detox my body from processed foods and sugars but it also helps me reprioritize my relationship with food. For me and a lot of Whole30-ers, September is a great time to dive back into a cleaner way of eating. School is back in session, schedules have slowed down, and life seems to settle back into a more normal pace.
My every day life is pretty consistent with a Whole30 lifestyle, but it's easy to slowly but surely re-introduce foods that, though delicious, don't always benefit my health or nutrition. The best way for me to figure out what foods have snuck back into my diet are to cut them out completely and start with a clean slate.
That's why, for the next 30 days, I'll be following the Whole30 program.
For those of you who have never participated in a Whole30, this means: no gluten, no dairy, no alcohol, no processed or refined sugar, no soy, no legumes, and no processed foods for the next 30 days.
Join me on a Whole30 journey!
Whether it's your first Whole30 or your 30th, it's always more fun to make a lifestyle change in the context of community. Having some accountability and resources has been so helpful for me on my Whole30 journey and I would love to invite you to join me on yours!
For the next 30 days I'll be blogging, posting on my Instagram story, doing some Q&A, and even hosting a few events throughout the process.
If anything, it's just 30 days. Who knows what could happen along the way?! Maybe you'll make some new friends, discover a new way of eating, reprogram your relationship with food, or try something new!
For those interested in learning more, simply subscribe below and I'll send you an e-mail on how you can join our Whole30 community.
To help you get started, all September Whole30-ers who register below will get a September Sauce pack.
For your first week of your September Whole30 you'll get all 4 of my signature Whole30 sauces (ranch, spicy ranch, pesto and BBQ) absolutely free! I'll be sending out the Saucy September code prior to beginning our journey!